YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Youngstown ranks 29th in the nation, tied with cities like Atlanta and Milwaukee, for the number of dog attacks on postal service workers, according to a U.S. Postal Service release.

Thursday, the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. held a news conference to kick off National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

“There’s a myth we often hear at the Postal Service,” said Postal Service Manager of Safety Linda DeCarlo. “Don’t worry — my dog won’t bite. Dog attacks are a nationwide issue and not just a postal problem. Any dog can bite and all attacks are preventable through responsible pet ownership.”

Of the 4.5 million Americans bitten by dogs annually, half are children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The U.S. Postal Service, the medical community, veterinarians and the insurance industry are working together to educate the public that dog bites are avoidable by declaring May 18-24 as National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

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